16 U.S. Code § 45a–1 - Addition of lands authorized

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in his discretion, to accept title to lands and interests in lands near the entrance to the Sequoia National Park, subject to existing easements for public highways and public utilities, within the following described tracts:

The owners of the lands to be conveyed to the United States, before any exchange is effective, shall furnish to the Secretary of the Interior evidence satisfactory to him of title to such lands. Such property shall become a part of the Sequoia National Park upon the acceptance of title thereto by the Secretary, and shall thereafter be subject to all laws and regulations applicable to the park.

Pub. L. 99–338, June 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 641, as amended by Pub. L. 103–437, § 6(d)(4),Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4583; Pub. L. 108–447, div. E, title I, § 139(c),Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3069, provided: “That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to issue a permit for ten years, and may issue not more than 3 renewals of equivalent duration, for portions of an existing hydroelectric project, known as the Kaweah Project of Southern California Edison Company, to continue to occupy and use lands of the United States within Sequoia National Park as necessary for continued operation and maintenance.

“Sec. 2. The Secretary shall not execute any permit renewal prior to one hundred and twenty calendar days from the date the same is submitted to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate and to the Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of Representatives.

“Sec. 3. The permit shall contain the following provisions:

“(1) A prohibition on expansion of the Kaweah Project in Sequoia National Park.

“(2) A requirement that an independent safety assessment of the Kaweah Project be conducted, and that any deficiencies identified as a result of the assessment would be corrected.

“(3) A requirement that the Secretary prepare and submit to Congress an update of the July 1983 report on the impact of the operations of the Kaweah No. 3 facility on Sequoia National Park.

“(4) A requirement that the permittee pay the park compensation as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the permittee.

“(5) Any other reasonable terms and conditions that the Secretary of the Interior deems necessary and proper for the management and care of Sequoia National Park and the purposes for which it was established.

“Sec. 4. The proceeds from any fees imposed pursuant to a permit issued under this Act shall be retained by Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park and shall be available, without further appropriation, for resources protection, maintenance, and other park operational needs.”

Pub. L. 93–522, Dec. 14, 1974, 88 Stat. 1660, as amended by Pub. L. 95–625, title III, § 314(d)(3),Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3482, authorized Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit to occupy and use lands of United States within Sequoia National Park necessary for continued operation, maintenance, and use of hydroelectric project known as the Kaweah Number 3 project of Southern California Edison Company, provided that in no event could the term of such permit extend for any period in excess of ten years following the date of its issuance, unless specifically authorized by law, provided for terms and conditions of permit, required report on impact of hydroelectric project, and provided for applicability of the Act.

Pub. L. 88–47, June 21, 1963, 77 Stat. 70, authorized Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit to use and occupy United States lands within Sequoia National Park necessary for continued operation, maintenance, and use of the Kaweah number 3 hydroelectric project of Southern California Edison Company, which by its terms was to provide that any privileges granted thereunder were to be exercised in accord with Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.) and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and which was to expire no later than Aug. 6, 1974.

Act Dec. 21, 1943, ch. 372, § 3,57 Stat. 606, provided as follows: “Nothing in this Act [sections
45a–1 and
45a–2 of this title] shall be construed to alter or affect in any manner the provisions, or extend the term, of the permit heretofore granted to the Southern California Edison Company and predecessors thereof for the use of lands in the Sequoia National Park for electric power development purposes, or to relieve the company of any financial or other obligation under said permit, or under agreements or orders relating or supplementary thereto.”

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